r\  i    •  '    i 


tssued  Janu 


U.  S.  DEPARTMENT   OF  AGRICULTURE, 

BUREAU  OF   PLANT  INDUSTRY     Circular  No.  -14. 
B.   I  ■   ,V.  Chief  of  Bureau. 


MINOR  ARTICLES  OF  FARM  EQUIPMENT 


L.  W.  ELLIS, 
Usistan  i.  ( »ni.  !.  of  Farm   Managemi  \  i 


WASHINGTON    :  GOVERNMENT  PRINTING  OFFIC! 


BIREAI    OF  PLANT  INIM'STRY. 


Chief  of  Bureau,  Beverly  r.  Galloway. 
Assi  iani  Ch    '    i  B  m  i  r  ]     Woods 

Editor,  J.  I'..  Rockwell. 
Chief  Clerk,  James  I     rot 
[Cir.  44] 

2 


MINOR  ARTICLES  OF   FARM    EQUIPMENT 


INTRODUCTION. 

Among  the  leaks  in  farming  to  which  because  of  their  apparent 
unimportance  little  attention  has  been  directed  is  the  waste  which 
occurs  through  a  general  lack  of  comprehension  as  to  the  extenl  and 
value  of  the  minor  articles  which  are  necessary  to  the  smooth  run- 
ning of  a  farm.  This  waste  is  exhibited  in  extra  expense  through  the 
purchase  of  unnecessary  tools  and  materials;  in  the  loss  of  time  and 
discounts  in  buying  numerous  articles  singl}  or  in  small  lots;  in  the 
loss,  theft,  and  rapid  depreciation  of  items  of  equipment  considered 
too  insignificant  to  require  systematic  care;  and  in  the  losses  in  many 
directions  through  the  lack  or  the  misplacement  of  equipment  at 
times  when  it   is  urgently  needed. 

A  previous  publication"  has  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  emphasized 
all  the  foregoing  points  in  discussing  the  advantages  to  he  gained  by 
having  on  the  farm  at  all  times  the  workshop  tools  and  materials 
necessary  for  keeping  in  a  high  state  of  efficiency  the  equipment 
upon  which  the  successful  management  of  the  modern  farm  so 
largely  depends,  li  is  the  purpose  of  this  paper  to  lay  even  greater 
emphasis  upon  certain  of  these   points  and   to   present    the  results  of 

study  made  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  number  and  cost 
oi  all  minor  articles  of  equipment  necessary  for  a  farm  of  the  general 
type.  This  study  did  not  include  wagons,  machinery,  or  other 
articles  which  on  account  of  their  hulk  or  value  would  be  classed  as 
items  of  major  importance,  but  was  confined  to  the  consideration  of 
the  miscellaneous  small  tools,  utensils,  and  sundries  usually  purchased 
singl}    or  in  small   lots  at    a  slight    cost    lor  each. 

'The  total  cost   of  the  miscellaneous  articles  is  usually  much  higher 
than   the  estimates  given   by    farmers   and   writers  on   agricultural 


a  Farmers'  Bulletin  347,  U.S.  Dept.  of  Agriculture,  entitled  "The  Repair  of  Farm 
Equipment."     This  bulletin  discusses  the  importance  of  making  minor  repairs  on 
'in,  the  character  and  use  of  tools,  and  the  proper  workshop  facilities  and  ma- 
terials forrepair  work,     li  will  lie  senl  tree  of  charge  upon  application  in  tie 
nf  Agriculture,  Washington,  1>.  (.'. 
[Clr 


4  MINOR   ARTICLES   OF   FARM   EQUIPMENT. 

subjects,  but  owing  to  the  great  number  of  small  purchases  made 
this  fact  is  seldom  realized  except  by  the  few  who  have  made  careful 
inventories  at  stated  intervals.  Ignorance  of  this  fact  leads  farmers 
in  general  to  neglect  an  extremely  valuable  portion  of  their  equip- 
ment, and  it  would  probably  be  found  that  the  decrease  in  value  of 
the  small  articles  is  much  more  rapid  than  that  of  the  major  items, 
for  which  an  annual  rate  of  depreciation  of  7.3  per  cent  has  been 
established. a  The  low  estimates  regarding  this  part  of  the  equip- 
ment also  prove  disappointing  to  the  manager  of  a  new  farming 
venture  who  finds  it  necessary  to  make  an  increased  outlay  on  this 
account,  attended  by  a  readjustment  of  his  plans. 

The  importance  of  having  a  good  working  equipment  in  small 
articles  and  the  absolute  necessity  of  caring  for  it  are  matters  which 
should  be  apparent  to  the  thoughtful  farmer  and  need  not  be  dwelt 
upon  further.  The  waste  of  time  in  making  numerous  special  trips 
for  small  articles  is  also  apparent,  particularly  when  it  is  considered 
that  many  of  these  occur  in  the  busiest  seasons.  This  could  be 
avoided  to  a  large  extent  by  taking  an  inventory  during  a  slack 
period  and  replacing  all  missing  items  at  the  first  opportunity. 
Concerning  the  loss  through  ignorance  of  the  equipment  needed, 
however,  less  has  been  said,  and  it  is  in  regard  to  the  requirement  in 
the  way  of  miscellaneous  articles  and  their  purchase  that  this  paper 
will  be  largely  devoted. 

In  selecting  the  minor  equipment  for  a  given  farm  consideration 
must  be  given  not  only  to  the  articles  needed  for  the  care  and  repair 
of  buildings,  fences,  machinery,  etc.,  but  to  those  used  for  the  care 
of  live  stock,  the  production  of  crops,  and  the  various  other  interests 
of  the  farm.  With  every  change  in  the  type  of  farm  involving  a 
new  combination  of  enterprises,  a  change  in  minor  equipment  will 
be  necessary.  For  each  of  the  many  specialized  types  of  farms 
certain  articles  will  be  needed  which  will  not  be  found  necessary  on 
farms  generally.  To  attempt  to  determine  the  equipment  in  small 
items  necessary  for  all  these  special  types  is  beyond  the  scope  of  this 
paper,  which  will  attempt  to  cover  only  those  items  found  in  most 
common  use  on  farms  of  the  general  type.  By  tins  is  meant  farms 
of  moderate  size  on  which  both  crops  and  live  stock  are  raised  with- 
out particular  emphasis  on  the  production  or  disposition  of  any  one 
product. 

The  nature  of  the  minor  equipment  will  be  determined  largely  l>\ 
the  character  of  the  farm  enterprises  and  the  proximity  of  repair  and 
shopping  facilities,  while  its  extent  may  be  governed  by  the  size  of 
the  farm,  the  number  of  workmen,  and  the  financial  circumstances 
of  the   proprietor.      Perhaps  both   the  nature  and   the  extent    of  the 


o  Bulletin  73,  Bureau  of  Statistics    I     S    Dept    of   Vgriculture. 
[Cir.  441 


MINOB    ARTICLES   OF    1  \l;M    EQUIPMENT.  5 

minor  equipment  will  be  influenced  most  by  the  fanner's  attitude  in 
regard  to  small  economies  and  his  ability  to  use  tools  to  the  best 
a<!\  ant  age. 

EXTENT  OF  MINOR  EQUIPMENT. 

For  the  puipose  of  ascertaining  how  much  of  the  miscellaneous 
equipmenl  discussed  i>  necessary  on  general  farms,  the  annual  inven- 
tories on  the  farms  of  thirty-three  cooperators  in  Ohio  were  made  as 
complete  as  possible  with  respect  to  minor  items.  These  farms 
include  one  poultry,  truck,  and  general  farm,  one  large  horse  farm, 
and  a  number  on  which  dairying  is  the  principal  enterprise,  yet  none 
depart  radically  from  the  general  type.  The  average  size  i>  a  trifle 
less  than  lii7  acres,  and  the  average  equipment  as  nearly  as  can  he 
determined  is  given  in  tabular-  form  on  subsequent  pages  of  this 
circular. 

SI   MMAm     "1      I  \  \  ENTI  MM  I  - 

Table  I,  showing  a  summary  of  the  inventories  of  minor  equip- 
ment, must  be  studied  closely  in  order  to  be  of  the  greatest  value. 
dl  the  items  listed  are  necessar}  for  a  satisfactory  farm  equip- 
ment, and  on  no  farm  was  a  complete  list  found.  Xo  farm  combined 
all  the  enterprises  represented,  yet  every  item  in  the  list  was  found 
on  one  or  more  of  the  cooperating .  farms.  A  few  articles  were 
omitted  as  being  of  an  extremely  unusual  character.  Many  items 
which  might  be  called  farm  equipment  because  found  in  farm  rather 
than  in  town  homes  are  not  included,  the  aim  being  to  present  a  sug- 
gestive list  of  miscellaneous  farm  tools,  etc.,  for  the  convenience  of 
the  farm  manager.  The  use  of  the  various  tools  is  not  described,  as 
onlj  the  more  common  ones,  with  which  local  merchants  are  usually 
familiar,  have  been  included. 

The  table  is  designed  to  show  the  relative  importance  of  the 
various  items  and  approximately  what  is  required  for  a  complete 
equipment.  The  first  column  shows  the  percentage  of  the  whole 
number  of  farms  from  which  each  article  was  reported  in  the  inven- 
tories. It  is  probable  that  in  many  cases  there  should  he  a  slight 
increase  in  the  percentage  shown,  owing  to  failure  to  record  all  the 
articles  on  some  of  the  farms.  It  is  believed  to  lie  correct,  how<  ver, 
in  showing  the  relative  importance  of  the  different  articles,  In  col- 
umn 2  is  shown  the  average  number  of  each  article  on  the  farms 
which  report  the  same.  In  column  .'!  is  the  number  which  the  inven- 
tories suggest  as  approximately  the  average  for  a  well-equipped 
general  farm  under  the  conditions  obtaining  in  Ohio.  In  making  up 
this  number  it  has  been  necessary  i"  consider  the  percentage  of  farms 
reporting  each  article,  the  average  number  of  article-  for  each  farm 


6  MINOB    ARTICLES   OF    FARM    EQUIPMENT. 

reporting,  and  the  same  average  for  the  whole  number  of  farms. 
The  suggested  number  is  the  nearest  whole  number  to  the  mean 
found  between  the  two  averages.  For  example,  the  T-handled  wood 
auger  is  reported  from  22  out  of  33  farms,  or  67  per  cent.  A  total  of 
67  augers  was  found  on  these  farms,  or  3.04  for  each  farm  reporting, 
and  2.03  to  the  farm  for  the  whole  number.  The  mean  is  2.54  and 
the  suggested  number  3.  With  one  or  two  exceptions  no  article  is 
included  in  column  3,  however,  which  was  not  reported  from  at  least 
20  per  cent  of  the  farms  and  for  which  the  average  to  the  farm  for  the 
whole  number  of  farms  was  less  than  three-tenths.  In  this  way  con- 
sideration was  given  to  the  fact  that  on  some  farms  certain  items  are 
not  reported  and  that  on  farms  which  do  report  the  various  items 
there  are  undoubtedly  cases  in  which  fewer  articles  than  those  found 
would  be  adequate.  This  last  statement  is  certainly  true,  since  in 
many  cases  where  several  tools  of  a  kind  are  kept,  a  part  are  old  and 
are  retained  simply  for  occasional  use.  The  arbitrary  basis  given 
was  adopted  because  it  was  found  to  mark  quite  accurately  the  divid- 
ing line  between  what  was  considered  essential  and  what  nonessen- 
tial by  the  owners  of  several  well-equipped  farms.  Column  .">  is  not 
necessarily  a  recommendation  as  to  what  will  be  urgently  needed  for 
a  farm  of  average  size  and  type,  but  it  is  indicative  of  the  number  of 
articles  suggested  by  the  inventory.  B\r  carefully  considering  the 
needs  of  his  farm  the  manager  can  cut  down  the  list  materially.  The 
oil  cans,  wrenches,  eveners,  etc.,  purchased  with  machines  were 
excluded  wherever  practicable  from  the  inventories;  hence,  the  sug- 
gested number  is  less  in  many  cases  than  the  real  total  for  such 
items. 

In  column  4,  figures  are  given  for  the  first  cosl  of  the  various  articles. 
the  price  of  all  being  included  for  reference,  even  though  all  of  the 
articles  are  not  recommended  lor  use.  The  price  for  the  complete 
article  (for  example,  a  tool  with  a  handle)  is  given  in  most  cases. 
This  price  has  been  obtained  wherever  possible  from  merchants 
located  in  sections  from  which  the  inventories  were  taken.  The 
majority  of  hardware  items  were  priced  by  one  of  the  leading  hard- 
ware merchants  of  Wayne  County,  Ohio.  Other  prices  were  ob- 
tained from  Farmers'  Bulletin  347.  Still  others  were  supplied  by 
various  farmers  who  had  purchased  or  made  similar  items  within  a 
few  months  of  the  date  of  inventory.  These  prices  will,  of  course, 
Vary  a  great  deal  with  the  location  of  the  purchaser  and  the  quality 
of  the  goods.  Regarding  the  latter,  however,  the  point  was  em- 
phasized in  obtaining  prices  that  average  figures  were  wanted  for  the 
quality  of  goods  usually  purchased  by  farmers.  These  prices  are 
merely  suggestive  and  can  not  in  all  cases  Ix-  relied  upon,  for  the 
reasons  just  nient  ioned. 
[Cir.  44] 


MINOB    AB  i  l    EQUIPMENI  .  7 

The  total  cosl  of  the  various  Items  suggested  is  extended  in  column 
.").  The  total,  which  seems  extremely  large  in  comparison  with  the 
usual  estimates,  is,  however,  n<>t  unreasonable  it'  a  rather  complete 
equipment  is  desired.  Taking  the  grand  total  inventory  of  items 
mentioned  in  this  list  for  all  the  farms,  using  the  prices  given  in 
column  4  and  dividing  by  33,  the  first  cost  for  the  average  farm  ol 
167  acres  is  found  to  be  aboul  $190.  The  discrepancy  between  tin- 
figure  and  thai  given  for  the  total  cost  of  items  suggested,  $270.70, 
may  be  due  partly  to  incomplete  inventories  but  mure  to  the  tact 
that  the  latter  figures  contain  a  large  number  of  single  articles  foi 
which  the  mean  previously  mentioned  was  a  fraction  greater  than 
one-half  and  less  than  one.  Column  5  indicates  a  rather  complete 
outfit.  Neither  the  *lt)()  nor  the  $270.70,  however,  includes  an\ 
allowance  for  a  stock  of  materials  for  the  repair  of  equipment,  as 
given  in  Farmers'  Bulletin  347.  An  expenditure  of  $50  or  more  in 
this  connection  would  save  many  trips  to  town  for  materials,  even 
if  the  equipment  for  making  use  of  them  were  complete.  Many 
items  considered  useful  and  necessary  might  he  added  to  the  list 
suggested,  but  the  purpose  of  this  circular  is  to  establish  what  mighl 
he  called  a  working  basis  for  considering  tins  phase  of  equipment 
The  occasional  need  for  many  of  these  omitted  items  will  be  ap- 
parent, and  attention  is  called  to  the  fact  that  the  li--t  in  column 
contains  only  L58  out  of  '2  ft)  articles,  all  of  which  were  considered 
uecessarj  in  certain  cases.  The  initial  expense  if  all  the  items  were 
included  in  as  large  number-  a-  shown  in  column  2  would  be  over 
$685,  and  it  is  not  an  uncommon  thing  to  find  farms  in  the  United 
State-  on  which  the  actual  investment  in  -mall  and  miscellaneous 
articles  would  be  above  this  figure  if  all  the  tools  had  been  bought 
first  hand.  The  summary  of  the  thirty-three  inventories  is  given  as 
follow  - : 

Table   I      Summary  of  items  of  minor  equipment  reportedon  thirty-three  farms  in  Ohio, 
with  the  numb  I  of  all  items  suggested  as  necessary  "/■'/  their  total  cost. 


Pen  i 

of : 
rr|x 


eneral  pui 



V  wl. . 

A.x  and  handle. 

I'lllrh    b 

Bencb 

bil 

Steel 

Try-square 

nisei... 

i    ll] 


Numb 

number  of 

each  item 

each  item. 

[terns  per 

farm  I 

ested 

Ing. 

sary. 

l 

.10 

2.1 

2 

1.1 

I 

1.1 

1 

1 

in 

1.0 

1 

1 

.  in 

of  ii 


so 

111 

50 

no 

00 

I 

10 

»  MINOR   ARTICLES   OF    FARM    EQUIPMENT. 

Table  I.— Summary  of  items  of  minor  equipment  reported  on  thirty-three  farms  in  Ohio, 
•h  the  number  and  cost  of  all  items  suggested  as  necessary  and  their  total  cost — <  '<  >i  it '  <  1 . 


Items. 


General  purpose— Continued. 

Compa  :s 

Level 

Drawing  knife 

Scratch  gauge 

Gimlet  bits 

Grub  hoe 

Claw  hammer 

Hand  ax 

Hatchet 

Screw-driver 

Log  chain 

Wooden  mallet 

Mattock 

Compass  saw 

Handsaw 

Crosscut  saw,  large 

Plane 

Iron  wedge 

Tapeline 

Hasp 

Brush  hook  or  scythe. . .  . 

Cant,  hook " 

Chalk  line 

Buck  saw 

Carpenter's  pincers 

Anvil 

Vise 

Forge 

Combination  drill  press. . 

Dulls 

Tinner's  snips 

Cold  chisel 

Whetstone 

Screw  plate 

Tongs i 

Flat  file 

Round  file 

Taper  file 

Oil  can 

Machine  oil 

Pipe  wrench 

Monkey  wrench 

Tool  grinder 

Grindstone 

Riveting  hammer 

Sledge  hammer 

Pliei   

Nippers 

Punch 

i  lack  saw 

Saw-set 

Maul 

Post-nole  diggei 

Wire  splicer. . . 
Wire  stretcher. . . . 

Ditch  cleaner 

Tile  spade 

Brick  trowel 

I'll  leiin  ■  trowel. . . . 

Sand  sieve 

Pick 

D-handled  shovel 

Long-handled  shovel 

Counter  scale.. . 

Kpring  balance 

Steelyards 

Platform  scale 

Rat  trap 

Steel  trap 

I:n  I. screw .. 

Stepladdei 


Percentage 

of  farms 
reporting. 


Average 
number  of 
items  per 

farm  report 
ing. 


[Cir.  14] 


42 

U4 
91 
15 
55 
21 
s_< 
36 
70 
67 
82 
36 
79 
42 
94 
85 
73 
79 
:i9 
39 
21 
42 
27 
10 
0 
21 
15 

23 
27 

- 

7.; 

24 
27 
6 
70 
35 
42 
30 

24 
64 
10 
9) 

39 
33 

52 

33 
18 
.:., 
16 
II 
11 
29 
22 
31 
II 

0 
16 
31 
31 
13 
10 

i 
28 

18 
24 
26 

3 


1.0 

L.3 
1.4 

.;.  o 
i.i 

1.3 
1.0 

1.7 
2. 5 
1.5 

i 
1.0 

1.2 
2.  3 

2.5 
1.1 
I  1 
1.0 
1.4 
I 

1.2 
1.0 
1.2 
1.0 
1.0 

I 

1.0 
2.3 

1.8 
1.0 
_'  0 
2.  0 
1.5 

1.7 

§ 

2.1 

I 

1.5 

1.1 

I 

1.5 

2.2 

0 

i 

1.0 

1.1 

1.0 
!.  1 

i 

! 
• 

1.3 
I 
I 
1.1 
1.0 
1.0 
2.1 

I    I 


Number  of 
each  item 
suggested 
as  neces- 
sary. 


2 
1 
2 
I 
o  1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
2 


SO.  30 

.75 
.75 
.40 
.20 
.50 
50 
.  50 
.  75 
.  25 
1 .  50 

.75 
.30 

1.25 
00 

1  .'5 
.30 
.50 
.50 

1.25 

1 .  25 
.10 
.75 

.00 

in. no 

10.00 
1.00 

1 .  25 

.10 

10.  INI 

.  15 

10 

.10 

.10 
.30 
1.50 

3.00 

cno 
.75 
1.00 

..Ml 
1.00 
.  15 
.  50 
.00 
.Till 

1.25 
1.00 
1.00 

1.00 
.10 

.  50 

L.00 

I  in 
LOO 
5.00 
,0 
2.00 
8.00 

.15 
2.00 
1.75 


Total  cost 
of  items 

suggested 

- 


SO.  30 
.75 
.75 
.40 
.40 


.50 
.50 

.75 

.25 

3.00 

.25 

.75 

.30 

2.50 

3.  00 

2.50 

.60 
.50 
.50 


1.25 

.10 

.00 

I  00 

2. 00 

.  10 

.10 

10.00 

.30 
.30 

.20 
.10 

.30 
1.5(1 
1.00 
3.  IK) 

1.00 

.75 
1.00 

.50 
1.00 

.30 


.60 


1 .  25 


1.00 
l .  25 
LOO 

.  10 


LOO 
LOO 


.5o 

2.00 

8.  (HI 

.50 

.15 


1 .  75 


MINOB    AIM  [CLES    OF    FARM     EQUIPM 


Table   1      Summary  of  itet  >n  thirty-thr< 

with  the  number  ana  cost  of  all  items  sugg>  totalcost    Cont'd, 


1 

> 

8 

1 

rli  item. 

.'. 

Items. 

of  in 
reporl 

Items 

umber  of 
ich  Item 

of  items 
suggested 

■  lei 

58 

71 

1 
1 

1 

l 
i 

.7.". 

$2.00 

Lani   ■ 

J.  IK. 

Paint  in n -ii 
Whitewash  brush. . .  - 

.  r.r> 

18 

in 

l 
1 

I 

liook 

.20 

15 

39 
64 

88 
12 
12 

the  1 
in  2C 

15 
12 

27 
18 

12 

10 
91 
89 
89 
43 
:si 
34 

l 
l 

HI 

l 

5t  Arc 

i 

3 

l 
•> 

2 
2 

2 

•i  1 
-' 

1.3 

Crate 

len  rake 
Boe 

.  in 

.  10 

80 

Tro' 

2.  50 

.  in 

.30 

.  25 

Cold    ■ 

Digitized  by 

nt( 

3fTI( 

i.  n 

3 

\A  ^    l- 

ick: 
Clipping  machine 

no 

> 

i.o 

2.3 

2.  7 

i.  in 

:hain. . . 

ind  driving: 

Mil 

Mian 

6.00 

1.00 

Coll 

Plj  aet  - 

_'.  8 

2.  INI 

[Jaltei 

26 

11 

s 

.  20 

Swi 

.  70 

Riveting  machine 

43 

1 

.50 

.  in 

ll>' 

57 
23 
23 

11 

17 

III 
11 
in 
11 

"1 
16 

1.  1 
1    1 
».3 

J  ii 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
I 

10.00 
1.00 

.  I).-, 
.  Id 

.7:, 
.60 
.  7."i 
.  7") 
I.  00 
.  Ill 
.  50 
1.00 
5.00 
1.50 
1.  IKI 

1.00 

Riding  bridle. 

1.00 

Snap 

.  11 

Stoi 

Chamois  skin 

Evener,  2-hor  ■• 

i . :;  or  I  horse 

Storm  tronl 

intern .... 

1.00 

http://archivfe.org/detail^/mino00unit 


10 


MIKOB    ARTICLES    OF    FARM    EQUIPMENT. 


Table  I. — Sumrru  juipment  reported  on  thirty-three  fcrms  in  Ohio, 

with  tlu  n  umber  and  cost  of  all  itt  ms  sugg>  cessary  and  their  total  cost — Cont'd. 


Items. 


Horse  and  driving — Coin 

Neck  yoke 

Whippletree 

Whip 

Whisk  broom 

Cattle: 

Cow  bell 

Calf  muzzle 

Crate 

Pie  rope  or  chain 

Dehorning  clipper 

Milk  tube 

Dairy: 

Milk  can 

Milk  crock 

Milk  pan 

Milk  pail 

Churn 

Butter  crock 

Butter  bowl 

Butter  scales 

Strainer 

Skimmer 

Thermometer 

Sheep: 

Bell 

Shears 

Swine: 

Ring  plier 

Rings 

Snout  clipper ;, 

Tongs 

Crate 

Portable  house , 

Poultry: 

Fountain 

Feed  hopper 

Trap  nests 

Feed  pan ' — 

Feed  sieve. 

Hover  box 

Egg  tester 

Coop 

Leg  bands 

Bone  cutter 

Bees: 

Foundation 

Section  box  ( 100) 

Foundation  fastenei 

Hive 

Super 

Smoker 

Bee  escape 

Bee  veil 

Honey  crate 

Honey  extractor 

Corn: 

Shock  tier 

Knife 

Hand  planter 

Ensilage  fork 

eed  tester 

Seed  rack 

Husking  peg 

Husking  gloves 

i 

Slack  cover 

Carrier 

Hoisting  fork 

Pulleys 


Average 
Percentage    number  of 
of  farms        items  per 
reporting,    farm  report- 
ing. 


58 


u  Box. 


3 
3 

I.". 
39 

0 
3 
3 
3 
3 
3 
0 
3 
6 
li 

6 
12 

9 

15 

•       12 

12 

6 

9 

(i 

6 

27 
70 
(il 

6 
12 

9 
30 
12 

3 
30 

iS 
55 

6  Pounds. 


1.6 

3.1 
1.4 
1.0 

1.5 
1.0 
1.0 
3.9 
1.0 
1.0 

4.9 
9.9 
5.0 
3.2 
1.1 
10.1 
I. il 
1.0 
1.0 
1.0 
1.0 

5.0 
l.G 

1.1 


1.0 
1.0 
2.0 
6.6 

3.  5 
3.0 
8.0 
6. 0 
1.0 
6.0 
1.(1 
3.0 
50.  5 
l.l) 

&6.0 
2.8 

Ml 

19.6 

30.  3 

I. II 

2.0 

1.3 

13.5 

1.0 

1.0 
2.7 
1.3 
1.0 
1.5 
1.3 
2.9 
c  1.3 

2.0 

1.1 
1.1 
4.5 


Number  of 
each  item 
suggested 
as  neces- 
sary. 


Cost  of 


Total  cost 
of  items 
suggested 

sarv. 


-•I  nil 
.30 
.50 
.10 


.20 
.50 
.30 
5.00 

.25 

1.50 
.  10 
.20 
.50 

4.00 
.  20 
.50 

1 . 5(1 
.50 
.  10 


.15 
1.00 

.20 
.10 
.40 
.50 
1.00 
4.00 

.  25 
.  25 
.25 
.05 
.  25 
.25 
.  15 
3.00 


1 

1 
4 

'■  Pairs. 


(i.00 


.75 
.75 

1 .  00 
.50 

1.00 
.  25 
.10 

.50 

25 

1.50 

1.00 

.50 
1.00 

.10 

.75 

s  oo 

3.  00 

1.  25 

.40 


[Cir.  44J 


MINOB    ARTICLES    OF    KUt.M    EQUIPMENT. 


u 


Table  I      Summary  of  items  of  mhior  equipment  report 

'costofali  mt'd. 


1 

a 

8 
each  iii  in 

l 
l 
I 
l 

•'i 

Items. 

stage 

SS 
SS 

15 
97 

3 

3 

21 
15 
3 
12 
12 

n  um  1 
farm  i 

1.  i 
1. 1 

1.  l 

2.  7 
L2 

1.0 

1.4 
1.2 

2.0 
G.O 

1.0 

1.  1 

of  iti 

1 1 .  i  >     Continued. 

5.00 
2.00 

Sickle 

K  1 1 :  ■ . 

e 

l 
1 

l 

1. 00 

1.50 

.20 
.03 
.06 
1.00 

.  75 
.30 

2 

Kujiar  ,., 

Fork  or  hook  ... 

bland  planter. 

' ' 

Spoul 

Cover 

Tapping  i-ii .  - . 

Total    cosl    of    items    sugges 

A  careful  study  of  Table  I  will  bring  out  many  points  worthy  ol 
consideration.  To  t he  owner  of  a  farm  who  has  had  do  occasion  from 
time  to  time  to  collect  bis  miscellaneous  equipment  and  take  account 
of  its  extent,  this  study  should  suggest  the  advisability  of  taking  an 
annual  inventory  of  the  small  as  well  as  of  the  large  equipment  in 
order  to  keep  track  of  his  investment.  The  practice  of  taking  an 
inventory,  even  of  the  larger  pieces  of  machinery,  is  not  as  common 
should  be,  and  in  many  cases  where  an  invoice  is  taken  the 
"small  stuff"  is  lumped  in  one  item.  During  the  process  of  taking 
the  inventories  used  in  compiling  this  circular  the  owner  almost 
invariably  expressed  astonishment  at  the  extent  to  which  his  capital 
was  invested  in  miscellaneous  minor  articles. 

The  tenant  farmers,  ami  especially  those  who  have  frequent  occa- 
sion to  move,  will  ordinaril)  be  found  better  posted  as  to  the  extent 
of  t  heir  miscellaneous  equipment,  and  this  will  usuallj  be  found  to  be 

[Cir.  44] 


12  -MIX OR   ARTICLES    OF    FARM    EQUIPMENT. 

much  nearer  the  actual  necessil  ies  than  the  equipment  of  the  resident 
owner.  To  both  of  these  classes,  however,  it  is  earnestly  recom- 
mended that  following  an  inventory  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
the  number  and  the  value  of  articles  on  hand  there  should  be  pro- 
vision made  for  keeping  track  of  the  various  articles  in  a  systematic 
manner.  Only  in  this  way  can  loss  through  theft  and  carele-^ne» 
he  avoided  and  time  saved  through  a  knowledge  of  where  the  articles 
can  be  found  when  wanted,  while  expenditures  for  the  duplication  of 
items  when  the  original  articles  can  not  be  found  for  the  time  being 
will  be  rendered  unnecessary  and  depreciation  on  account  of  neglect 
will  be  reduced  to  a  minimum.  It  is  unnecessary  to  dwell  upon  these 
points,  as  they  will  be  apparent  to  the  businesslike  farmer. 

This  list  also  contains  possibilities  of  great  value  to  the  prospect  ive 
farmer.  To  the  ordinary  person  the  compiling  of  a  complete  list  of 
articles  neeessar}r  for  use  on  an  average-sized  general  farm  becomes 
almost  an  impossibility  after  he  has  listed  the  larger  items,  such  as 
machinery,  wagons,  etc.  This  applies  to  the  man  with  some  farm 
experience  as  well  as  to  the  one  who  engages  in  farming  for  the  first 
time.  The  experience  of  several  men  born  and  raised  on  a  farm  and 
temporarily  separated  from  it  during  a  college  course  will  bear  out 
this  statement.  One  of  these  was  actually  in  charge  of  an  experi- 
mental farm  for  four  years  prior  to  taking  up  farming  on  his  own 
account,  yet  his  initial  allowance  for  small  tools  and  sundries  was 
only  $25.  After  going  over  an  incomplete  list  similar  to  the  forego- 
ing he  purchased  a  very  modest  lot  of  small  tools,  amounting  to  over 
S  I  00  in  value,  from  a  local  hardware  dealer,  thereby  obtaining  a  cash 
discount  of  10  per  cent. 

A  recent  graduate  of  the  Ohio  State  University,  before  engaging 
in  farming  on  his  own  account  on  a  portion  of  his  father's  farm,  kept 
in  mind  for  four  or  five  months  the  problem  of  getting  a  complete 
equipment  within  his  means.  He  first  noted  all  the  items  which  he 
considered  necessary,  basing  his  list  on  his  previous  experience.  His 
second  step  consisted  of  the  task  of  obtaining  the  net  retail  prices  of 
the  various  articles.  The  result  was  a  total  so  large  that  the  third 
and  most  difficult  step,  that  of  determining  the  actual  necessities, 
was  pursued  for  a  considerable  time.  Having  finally  reduced  his  list 
to  the  minimum,  heentered  into  negotiations  with  several  of  the  local 
merchants.  Two  of  these  made  special  efforts  to  obtain  his  order, 
and  each  made  the  suggestion  that  he  lake  a  trip  at  the  merchant's 
expense  to  one  of  the  cities  in  tin-  State  and  select  his  equipment 
from  the  large  slocks  in  the  wholesale  supply  houses.  He  accepted 
one  of  these  offers,  and  during  the  state  fair  spent  a  half  day  in  a  large 
warehouse  selecting  articles  of   I  lie  style   and   quality   desired.      The 

ids  were  shipped  to  the  local  dealer,  who  obtained  his  profit  and 

[Clr.  44] 


MINOB   ARTICLES   OF    FABM    EQUIPMENT. 


13 


still  gave  the  purchaser  a  cash  discounl  of  LO  per  cenl  from  the  ordi- 
nary prices  The  young  farmer  brought  his  entire  stock  of  miscella- 
neous equipmenl  from  the  stoic  at  one  trip  with  a  team  and  wagon, 
and  then  spent  a  day  or  two  arranging  his  workshop  and  disposing 
of  his  various  purchases  in  the  most  convenient  places,  the  extent  of 
his  outlay  impressing  him  with  the  necessity  for  taking  systematic 
care  of  the  smallest  details.  Several  items  which  wen-  not  up  to  the 
standard  were  taken  hack  and  exchanged  for  perfecl  goods  at  the 
local  store,  and  in  this  way  the  entire  outfll  was  delivered  at  the  farm 
with  very  little  expenditure  of  time  and  annoyance  and  in  perfect  con- 
dition. I'>\  following  this  method  the  farmer  was  enabled  to  make 
his  selection  from  well-known  brands  and  from  a  larger  stock  than 
that  afforded  bj  the  ordinary  store,  besides  having  a  pleasant  outing. 
Bis  total  purchase  amounted  to  about  $125,  a  portion  being  for 
household  use. 

The  following  articles  were  charged  against  the  farm  business: 


leather  halter 

i  of  paint 

gallon  of  barn  paint 

bottle  of  machine  "il  .... 

small  oil  can 

leather  punch 

pairs  of  gloves 

pair  of  shucking  gloves.  . 

shucking  peg 

riveting  machine 

soldering  iron 

crew  bar,  16  pounds 

i  enter  punch 

draw  knife 

garden  hue 

grindstone 

buggy  robe 

blacksmith's  vise,  5-inch. 

tamper 

pair  scales,  600  pounds. . . 

oilstone 

gallons  of  harness  "il 

jai  k  plane 

paint  brush  

ratchel  brace 

inch 

h 

-inch       

bit,  'inch 

ch 

-inch       

bit,  l-inch 

handsaw 

[Cir    14 


i     ,0 

.  10 

60 
.'() 
i0 
20 

.M 

til 

.  L0 

.  35 

3  00 

0 
LI.  00 

.50 
00 

1 .  75 
.20 

.30 
.30 

in 
1 .  75 


I  handsaw 


1  hack  saw 

I  compass  saw 

1  pair  of  pliers. 

I  pair  of  pliers 

1  post-hole  digger 

\  -driver 

2  shovels 

I  scoop  shovel 

1  plastering  trowel .  . . 

'_'  wedges 

I  fork,  3  prongs 

I  whetstone 

I  mail  box 

1  wagon  jack 

1  bucket 

I  sel  of  ladder  in>n.~ .  . 

J2  hulls,   I  1-inch 

I  horse  blanket 

I  whip 

1  monkey  wrench 

ator  wrench. . .  . 

I  paint  brush  

I  seed  sower. . 

1  saw-set 

i  bain,  15  feet . .  - 

I  ax  and  handle 

1  hoy's  ax 

;  chisel 

i  !.   ,-inch 

1  chisel,  L-inch 

I  rope,   l-inch, 

I 


.  15 

LOO 

.30 

L.25 

1 .  20 
.  75 
.62 
.  4(1 
65 
.  05 

LOO 

LOO 
.  65 

1.35 
.49 

.  25 
.40 
.  25 
.  15 

1.72 
LOO 
.75 
.20 
.30 

.  55 


14 


MINOR   ARTICLES    OF    FARM    EQUIPMENT. 


1  tinner's  snips fO.  35 

5.00 
.85 
.75 
.75 

2.25 

1.50 
.20 
.24 

2.80 
.75 
.45 
.35 
.45 
.15 
.75 
.90 
.60 
.  10 


1  road  scraper 

!  steel  .square 

1  nail  hammer 

1  ball  peen  hammer 

1  jaekscrew 

1  pipe  wrench 

1  currycomb 

3  clevises 

1  crosscut  saw  and  handle. 

5  files 

1  grub  hoe 

1  garden  hoe 

I  horse  brush 

1  horse  brush  (for  tail ) .  .  . 

1  hatchet 

1  lantern 

1  fork,  4  prongs 

1  punch 


1  pick  and  handle 

2  boxes  of  copper  rivets. 

2  boxes  of  tubular  rivets. 

I  spade 

1  ditching  spade 

1  snath 

1  scythe 

1  wheelbarrow 

1  hay  knife 

1  feed  basket 

1  pair  of  nippers 

1  sledge  and  handle 

3  quarts  of  paint 


Total 

Less  10  per  rent  cash  discount . 

Net  cost 


10.60 

.20 
.10 
.00 

1.00 
.75 
.  75 

1.75 
.  75 
.80 
.75 
.90 

1.  15 

106.  86 
10.  69 

96.  17 


A  similar  course  to  that  just  described  might  well  be  pursued  by 
many  persons  who  are  about  to  engage  in  general  farming.  As 
before  stated,  the  saving  through  the  merchant's  discount  is  con- 
siderable. The  merchant  who  furnished  the  majority  of  the  prices 
contained  in  Table  I  stated  that  lot-  a  large  bill  of  goods  such  as  that 
under  discussion  he  could  afford  to  give  from  10  to  20  per  cent 
discount  for  cash  on  account  of  the  size  of  the  order  and  the  saving 
in  the  cost  of  selling.  This  would  pay  interest  on  the  investment 
for  some  years,  to  say  nothing  of  the  time  which  would  be  saved 
ih rough  having  the  stock  complete,  at  the  beginning. 

On  nearly  every  farm  some  articles  will  be  found  which  have  been 
bought  at  second  hand.  No  doubt  a  considerable  saving  may  be 
effected  by  thus  securing  articles  at  odd  times  when  work  is  not  press- 
ing. If,  however,  the  business  of  the  farm  is  stopped  during  attend- 
ance at  a  sale  it  is  an  open  question  whether  the  saving  on  minor 
items  over  the  suggested  method  will  be  sufficient  to  cover  the  time 
spent.  As  a  rule  these  articles  are  summed  up  in  the  sale  bill  as 
"too  numerous  to  mention''  and  no  idea  is  given  as  to  the  extent  or 
condition  of  the  offering. 

The  lists  here  given  are  in  the  nature  of  a  census  in  that  they  present 
•  lata  from  which  each  individual  may  secure  the  information  suited 
to  his  own  use.  These  lists  are  printed  with  thai  object  in  view 
rather  than  as  a  recommendation  of  what  should  be  purchased. 
Farmers'  Bulletin  347,  following  a  discussion  of  the  various  workshop 
tools,  slates  that  the  complete  equipment  of  a  shop  for  the  making 
of  general  farm  repairs  should  include  a  blacksmithing  outfit,  a 
$25  collection  of  wood-working  and  general-purpose  tools,  a  pipe- 
working  combination,  miscellaneous  tools,  a  harness-repair  outfit, 

|('ir.  44] 


MINOB    SiBTICLES   OF    FARM    EQUIPMENT.  15 

a  workbench,  a  pair  of  sawhorses,  and  a  grindstone,  and  thai  this 
entire  equipmenl  for  a  shop  can  be  secured  for  about  $100  in  a  fair 
qualitj  of  goods,  while  for  $150  tools  of  exeellenl  quahty  can  be 
obtained. 

The  great  number  of  general-purpose  items,  other  than  those  men- 
tioned, together  with  those  for  use  in  connection  with  the  producing 
enterprises,  and  the  stock  of  materials  needed  for  the  repair  of  farm 
equipmenl  will  easily  bring  the  total  cosl  of  a  good  working  equip- 
ment in  miscellaneous  articles  up  to  $250.  The  expenditure  of  this 
sum  for  this  purpose  in  the  organization  of  the  farm  is  probabl} 
out  of  the  question  for  manj  fanners,  but  due  consideration  at  the 
outset  for  the  accessary  investment  in  minor  items  will  save  much 
inconvenience  and  disappointment   later. 

SUMMARY. 

Few  farmers  realize  the  extent  of  their  investment  in  small  items 
of  equipmenl  or  the  time  and  inconvenience  involved  in  buying 
numerous  ait  ides  singly  or  in  small  lots.  Before  planning  the  farm 
equipment  ,  due  consideration  should  he  given  to  the  necessary  out  lay 
for  minor  items,  and  where  possible  the  latter  should  be  secured  at 
one  purchase,  thereby  saving  time  and,  usually,  money.  The  pur- 
chase o\'  these  articles  in  such  a  manner  will  mean  a  total  expenditure 
sufficient  to  impress  the  farmer  with  the  need  for  their  systematic 
care.  The  minor  items  for  a  general  farm  of  Hid  acres  in  Ohio  and 
other  middle  Western  State-  will  probably  cost   from  $200  to  $300. 

A|)|)io\  ed  : 

.1  \mks  Wilson, 

Secretary  of  Agriculturt . 

W  \-.ui\<;ton.  1).  ('..    November  30,  19 

[Cir.  44.] 

O 


UNIVERSITY  OF  FLORIDA 

Mlllll  III 

3  1262  08928  9564 


